Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Will you be attending the derby with Garrett again this year, Lydia?” Audrey asked.
The small amount of salad I’d managed to swallow felt like it was now lodged in my throat. I stilled, unsure if it was safe to attempt to take another bite. I reached for my flute, and my hand brushed against it clumsily, causing it to tilt.
Garrett’s hand shot out and steadied it before the drink spilled all over the table. I forced myself to take a breath as my heart raced in my chest. I knew they’d all witnessed this, and it seemed like all eyes were on me—but I didn’t dare to look up and check.
My face heated, and I wanted to bolt from the room. Go back to the security of my camper. Take off these ridiculous clothes that I didn’t belong in and put on my cutoff sweats.
“We haven’t—” Lydia began, but was cut off.
“Fawn will be attending with me this year.” Garrett’s words were spoken casually, but there was a warning laced in them.
The table was silent for a moment.
“Have you ever attended the derby before, Fawn?” Zion asked in a kind voice. As if trying to ease the table’s sudden uncertainty.
I looked up from my glass to meet his eyes. “No,” I replied with a shake of my head. “This will be a first.” That I have even heard about my attending it. I left that out though.
Garrett hadn’t asked me, and he knew I couldn’t just leave Gypsi and my job to run off to Kentucky with him. I wouldn’t point that out. Not with Lydia sitting across the table, who had clearly gone with him in the past. The idea of him taking her if I didn’t go was making me ill.
“You’ll never be able to go again after you’ve experienced it with Garrett. All other trips will fall woefully short,” Gunther said in an amused tone. “This will be the trip of a lifetime.”
What he didn’t add was, For a server like you. I appreciated that.
“I do hope you’re still going, Lydia,” Audrey pressed.
Before Lydia could reply and make this even more awkward, Garrett cleared his throat, then turned his attention to Zion and asked him about his upcoming venture with Darce Morgan. It seemed the casino Zion owned was having an app developed with gambling included.
The others at the table seemed to accept the fact that Garrett had ended the conversation and any mention of Lydia. It wasn’t until the third course was served that I was able to enjoy my food again.
Twenty-Two
Fawn
The champagne had gotten to me, and I’d needed to use the restroom, but more than that, I wanted a break from it all. The meal was over, and I knew Garrett was going to finish speaking to those who desperately wanted his attention before we escaped. I had taken the chance to excuse myself to the ladies’ room.
My hand was on the brass handle of the white wooden door of the stall I’d used when I recognized Lydia’s voice. I paused, not wanting to go out there and face that woman. I already knew, without Garrett around, she was going to take the opportunity to be nasty.
“She’s a server at the club. That’s all. In fact, he fired her for being rude to me the last time I was there with him. I have no idea why he has her here as a date,” Lydia drawled in an annoyed tone.
“It’s his MO. You know that by now. He likes the trashy ones, but he gets bored quickly and tosses them. You’ll more than likely be on his arm at the derby. You are the only female he keeps around,” Audrey replied.
“I know. It just gets weary. I’m growing tired of this game of his,” Lydia said. “It’s always the needy gold diggers that he seems drawn to. He likes showering them with gifts, getting his sexual kinks off with them, and then it’s done.”
“Has he brought up marriage again?” Audrey asked.
Lydia sighed. “Yes. We were talking about it regularly until lately. I should just tell him he can keep his side cunts when we get married. I’ll overlook it.”
Audrey giggled. “For that man’s money, I’d let him have them and watch if he required it.”
Lydia let out a short laugh. “Oh, I have. More than once.”
Audrey gasped. “You’ve watched him have sex?”
“Yes. Garrett likes kinky shit. You have to accept it from him. It’s why we work. His former wives didn’t want to play his games.”
The bile in my throat had risen to the point that I was almost positive I was going to be sick. I gripped the handle tightly and closed my eyes, then breathed in through my nose, trying to fight it back. I had to get out of here. I had to get home. Take the money I had and move me and Gypsi north.